Writing instrument with system for selecting lotto numbers

ABSTRACT

A writing implement in combination with an arrangement for selecting numbers and a visual display for selected numbers, including an electronic random generator having a circuit and display volume adapted to a number of digits, a display arrangement for respectively displaying one number, a battery, and an electrical circuit for electrically connecting the display arrangement through the battery with the random generator.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to a writing instrument preferably a ballpoint pen with a selection arrangement for lotto numbers, of the like,and with a visual display for the selected numbers combined therewith.

Such writing implements with a selection arrangement and a visualdisplay for lotto numbers are known.

Thus in the writing implement with a writing cartridge arranged at oneend and an added installation (DE-GM No. 8 204 456) arranged at theother end, this added arrangement is designed as a relatively largecontainer, in which a certain number of balls is contained. Between thewriting cartridge and the container - and connected with it--thereexists a pit which can be viewed from the outside, in which there isroom for just a specific number of balls. These very small balls carrythe same number executed fourfold diagonally opposite. In thisparticular embodiment the pit is actually covered by a cylindrical lens,however, in spite of that it is difficult to read since theextraordinary small numbers of the respectively to be read multidigit,for instance six digit number are unlikely to be positioned in the pitbelow the lens in an easily recognizable manner. It is difficult to tossthe balls into the proper position. Additionally these balls are noteasy to fabricate. It has to be added that the light conditions for theballs lying in the pit are bad in spite of the cylindrical lens, so thatmixups can easily occur for instance between the numbers 3 and 8, 5 and6 as well as 7 and 1.

An additional disadvantage follows from the unavoidable electrostaticcharging of the plastics material balls because of the shaking ortossing which can lead to electrical interference fields which impairthe regular entry of the balls into the pits.

Another device with similar drawbacks is a writing implement with agambling device, consisting of a container with a number of balls whichform at least two different groups and with a tube closed at one end andconnected to this container into which the balls from the container canenter, in order to form a stack there, wherein the tube is designed andarranged in such a manner that the stack formed by the balls in the tubeis visible from outside (CH-PS No. 320 357).

Here the attachment clasp of the writing implement is designed as atube.

The balls have different colors or they are different in other ways.When using the implement, for instance for football wagers, the ballsform three for instance differently colored groups corresponding to (a)won, (b) lost, and (c) draw.

Especially in case of bad lighting conditions it is difficult todifferentiate the groups of the small balls from each other which arerandomly stacked in the tubularly-shaped attachment clasp. In this casealso electrostatic interference fields because of the electrostaticcharges occurring when shaking the writing instrument must be added.

A particularity common to the objects of both writing instrumentsconsists in that the read-out of for instance only six magnitudes ispossible. If a game of chance requires the evaluation of elevenmagnitudes, the known explained writing instruments cannot perform this.

The randomly determined six numbers must be simultaneously read fromboth writing implements, which complicates the read-out process becauseof the hard to view extraordinary small adjacent balls.

Another writing instrument which has become known, especially a ballpoint pen, is equipped with an additional electronics building block, anumber display arrangement, a display window located above this, abattery as well as with a contact arrangement operable by push buttonsor keys, which are wired in the manner of a pocket calculator and have arow of keys essentially extending in longitudinal direction of theimplement. The digital display is arranged behind a display window. In aspecial embodiment example the parts constituting the pocket calculatorare housed in the cap of the writing implement (DE-GM No. 8 004 989).

Generally writing implements with electronic building blocks areactually known (GB-PS No. 2 127 754), however none of these knownembodiments is able to determine lotto numbers and to display themindividually and consecutively with acceptable readability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is based upon the task of creating a simplewriting implement of the type under discussion consisting of few parts,which enables the selection of lotto numbers electronically andarbitrarily.

This task is solved in a simple manner by providing an electronic randomgenerator with a circuit and display volume adapted to the number oflotto digits, and a display arrangement for respectively one number ofcharacter which is in circuit connection through a battery as well aselectrical circuit switching and connecting elements with the randomgenerator.

This random generator is considerably simpler than a building blockdesigned as an electronic calculator and requires especially only oneon/off switch in its current circuit. The electronic building block canbe housed without difficulty in the writing implement in addition to thewriting cartridge, without rendering the writing implement unwieldybecause of this.

The writing implement according to the invention is distinguished by alow number of individual parts which are easily fabricatable andassembleable. Because of the sturdy design of these individual parts along useful life of the writing implement is assured. It is advantageousthat the writing end of the cartridge protruding from the writing partcan be secured by the cap, when the cap is placed upon the writing endof the writing part. Because of this the usual mechanism fordisplacement and return of the writing cartridge relative to the writingpart does not need to be installed.

One embodiment example consists of a writing part containing the batteryand a cap which can be selectably placed upon one end of this writingpart, in which cap the random generator with a display arrangement islocated.

It is also advantageous that the current circuit for the randomgenerator is interrupted always if the cap covers the writing ball ofthe ball point pen. In this way an unnecessary current consumption isprevented.

A particularly simple solution results if the contact pin is at the sametime utilized in an on/off switch for the current circuit of the randomgenerator. In this case the cap can be placed in its first position uponthe end lying opposite the writing end of the writing implement, inwhich the contact pin of the random generator does not contact thebattery.

The current circuit for the random generator is closed within the cap bya wiring arrangement, which provides a conductive connection between themetal sleeve in the writing portion and a contact spring in the cap.

In another embodiment example a contact part can be utilized for openingand closing the current circuit of the random generator which can beactuated by a push button, which projects from the rear end of the capand is provided with a stem or handle, which is guided in a longitudinalaperture of an upper end-cap of the cap of the writing implement. Bypressing this push button the contact with the end of the randomgenerator is established which lies opposite the contact pin of thebattery.

An embodiment example of the invention is explained in the followingdescription, which refers to the drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1: is a side view of the writing implement in the position of rest,

FIG. 2: a cross-section through the writing implement while being usedand

FIG. 3: an exploded illustration of the essential individual parts ofthe writing implement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the side view of the writing implement 1 in FIG. 1 the writingportion 2 is recognizable on the lefthand side and the cap 21 on therighthand side, which cap is placed upon the writing end 4 of thewriting implement 1 discernible in FIG. 2. The end 5 of the writingportion 2 lying opposite to the writing end is discernible on thelefthand side in FIG. 1. The cap 21 has a clip known as such and isadditionally equipped with lamps 28 and 29 to be explained later as wellas a display arrangement 25. A push button 32 is discernible at therighthand end of the cap 21 whose function will be explained later.

FIG. 2 shows a section of the writing implement 1 in the invention inworking position. The writing portion 2 is essentially constituted by ahousing 3 in which the usual ball point cartridge 6 together with acartridge spring 7 is arranged which presses the cartridge 6 in FIG. 2toward the right. The end lying opposite to the writing end of thecartridge 6 is guided in a cartridge guide 9, while the writing end ofthe cartridge 6 protrudes through an aperture 8 from the writing end 4of the writing portion 2.

The cartridge guidance 9 has an external non-designated recess which isequipped with a thread 36 upon which the open end of a metallic sleeve10 can be threaded on. Within the metal sleeve 10 a metal disk 11 can bediscerned, which is connected in an electrically conductive manner withthe metal sleeve 10 by means of conductor ends 12. The end of thecartridge 6 lying opposite to the writing end rests under the effect ofthe cartridge spring 7 against the metal disk 11.

The righthand end of the metal sleeve 10 in FIG. 2 represents the end 5of the writing portion 2 lying opposite to the writing end 4 of thewriting portion 2. It has a central bore 18. A plastics material sleeve16 with a central bore 17 is provided inside the metal sleeve 10directly next to the end 5 and is arranged concentrically to the bore 18in the metal sleeve 10. The plastics material sleeve 16 contains abattery 15 which is designed as a button cell. Instead of a battery 15several batteries 15 can be arranged consecutively if the plasticsmaterial sleeve 16 is appropriately designed.

A contact spring 13 is provided at the metal disk 11 which establishesthe electrical connection between the metal disk 11 and the battery 15.

A cap 21 depicted also in section is placed upon the end 5 of thewriting portion 2 which lies opposite to the writing end 4. The capcontains a random generator 23 with a contact piece 24 as well as acontact pin 26, which protrudes through the bores 17 and 18 of theplastics material sleeve 16 and the metal sleeve 10 and in the depictedstate rests at the battery 15.

The random generator 23 is fastened inside the cap 21 in such a way thatits contact piece 24 lies opposite the contact piece 33, which isconnected to a conductor 35 through a contact pressure spring 34, whichconductor establishes the conductive connection to the metal sleeve 10.

The end of the push button 32 rests at the contact piece 33, which pushbutton is guided in a bore 31 of an end cap 30. The contact piece 33prevents the push button 32 from sliding out of the bore 31. By exertingpressure upon the push button 32 the contact piece 33 seated at thecontact spring 34 comes in touch with the contact piece 24 of the randomgenerator 23 so that its current circuit is closed.

The random generator 23 is combined with a display arrangement 25 whichis located behind a display window 27. On the right- and lefthand sidenext to the display device 25 the lamps 28 or 29 are depicted of whichone indicates for instance an operational state and the other thecurrent flow.

The essential detail parts of the writing implement are depicted in FIG.3 in exploded presentation. The outer region of the cartridge guidance 9is provided with a thread 36 upon which the internal thread of the metalsleeve 10 can be threaded. After unscrewing the metal sleeve 10 from thecartridge casing 3 the cartridge 6 or the battery 15 can be exchanged.By screwing the metal sleeve 10 upon the thread 16 of the cartridgeguidance 9, the cartridge 6 is pressed against the cartridge spring 7and the battery 15 against the contact spring 13. When the cap 21 isplaced upon the writing portion 2 there occurs a contact connectionbetween the battery 15 and the contact pin 26 caused by the contactspring 13.

If the cap 21 is placed upon the writing portion 2 in a first position,the writing implement can be used as a simple ball point pen, withoutthat an electrical connection between the battery 15 and the contact pin26 exists. Only when the cap 21 is pressed further upon the writingportion 2, does the contact between the contact piece 26 and the battery15 close the current circuit for the random generator 23. In that casethe conductor 35 is directly connected to the contact piece 24. Thisposition of the cap upon the writing portion can be immobilized forinstance by a slight rise upon the writing portion and a correspondingdepression in the cap. By pressing the cap it can reach a secondposition on the writing portion, in which the contact pin of the randomgenerator rests upon the contact face of the battery.

In the depicted embodiment example on the other hand the establishmentof the contact occurs in the previously described manner by pressing thepush button 32.

Without affecting the core of the invention the writing implement canalso be used as a correspondingly constructed fountain pen or soft pointpen. Any artisan will also be able to design a cap 21 for a pencil insuch a way that it can enter into effective connection with the randomgenerator 23 in the manner described above.

The random generator 23 is designed in such a way that it passes througha cycle after contact is established and at the end--completelyrandomly--actuates a number of the display arrangement 25. By renewedpressing of the push button 32 the displayed number is erased and at thesame time the random generator 23 is operated, which after thecompletion of its cycle provides an additional number for display. Therandom generator 23 is designed in such a way in the invention that itis able to indicate the appropriate number of the lotto digits. Thenumber of the lotto digits varies depending upon the game being played.It is not difficult to lay out the random generator 23 in such a waythat it is able to display the number of lotto digits usual in theUnited States.

Without affecting the core of the invention the random generator 23 canbe laid out in such a way, that it selects other digits or charactersand displays same such as for instance may be required for games.

The inner circuit technology structure of the random generator is not asubject of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A writing implement in combination with anarrangement for selecting numbers and a visual display for selectednumbers, comprising:electronic random generator means having a circuitand display volume adapted to a number of digits; display means forrespectively displaying one number; a battery; a metal disk having acontact spring, the battery being arranged so as to rest against thecontact spring; a writing cartridge having a rear end on which the metaldisk is placed, and a front end; a metal sleeve arranged so as to fixthe metal disk and the writing cartridge in a cooperative position; andan electrical circuit means for electrically connecting the displaymeans through the battery with the random generator means.
 2. A writingimplement according to claim 1, wherein the display means includes atransparent display window and at least one lamp arranged so as toindicate an operational state of the selection arrangement.
 3. A writingimplement in combination with an arrangement for selecting numbers and avisual display for selected numbers, comprising:electronic randomgenerator means having a circuit and display volume adapted to a numberof digits; display means for respectively displaying one number; abattery; an electrical circuit means for electrically connecting thedisplay means through the battery with the random generator means; awriting portion having a writing end and an end opposite the writingend, the battery being arranged inside the writing portion; and a capselectably placeable upon either of the writing end and the opposite endof the writing portion, the random generator means and the display meansbeing arranged in the cap.
 4. A writing implement according to claim 3,and further comprising a plastic sleeve and a metal disk having acontact spring, the battery being a button cell which is seated in theplastic sleeve so as to rest against the contact spring, and stillfurther comprising a writing cartridge having a rear end on which themetal disk is placed and a front end, a cartridge spring arranged on thefront end of the writing cartridge, and a metal sleeve arranged so as tooverlap the plastic sleeve so as to fix the metal disk and writingcartridge in position against the force of the cartridge spring.
 5. Awriting implement according to claim 4, wherein the random generatormeans includes a housing having a contact pin which when the cap isplaced on the opposite end of the writing portion rests at a contact ofthe battery by way of bores in the plastic sleeve and the metal sleeve.6. A writing implement according to claim 5, wherein the contact pin isan on/off switch in a current circuit of the random generator means andis actuatable during placement of the cap upon the opposite end of thewriting portion.
 7. A writing implement according to claim 4, andfurther comprising a cartridge guide having a threaded recess, the metalsleeve being screwable upon the threaded recess of the cartridge guide.8. A writing implement according to claim 4, and further comprising acontact pressure spring provided within the cap and at least oneconductor arranged so as to electrically connect the metal sleeve withthe contact pressure spring.
 9. A writing implement according to claim3, and further comprising a manually actuatable on/off switch arrangedin the cap in the current circuit of the random generator means.
 10. Awriting implement according to claim 9, wherein the manually operableon/off switch includes a pushbutton displaceable in a bore of an end capof the cap.
 11. A writing implement in combination with an arrangementfor selecting numbers and a visual display for selected numbers,comprising:electronic random generator means having a circuit anddisplay volume adapted to a number of digits; display means forrespectively displaying one number; a battery; an electrical circuitmeans for electrically connecting the display means through the batterywith the random generator means; and a plastic sleeve and a metal diskhaving a contact spring, the battery being a button cell which is seatedin the plastic sleeve so as to rest against the contact spring, andstill further comprising a writing cartridge having a rear end on whichthe metal disk is placed and a front end, a cartridge spring beingarranged on the front end of the writing cartridge, and a metal sleevearranged so as to overlap the plastic sleeve so as to fix the metal diskand writing cartridge in position against the force of the cartridgespring.
 12. A writing implement according to claim 11, wherein therandom generator means includes a housing having a contact pin whichwhen the cap is placed on the opposite end of the writing portion restsat a contact of the battery by way of bores in the plastic sleeve andthe metal sleeve.
 13. A writing implement according to claim 12, whereinthe contact pin is an on/off switch in a current circuit of the randomgenerator means and is actuatable during placement of the cap upon theopposite end of the writing portion.
 14. A writing implement accordingto claim 11, and further comprising a cartridge guide having a threadedrecess, the metal sleeve being screwable upon the threaded recess of thecartridge guide.
 15. A writing implement according to claim 11, andfurther comprising a contact pressure spring provided within the cap andat least one conductor arranged so as to electrically connect the metalsleeve with the contact pressure spring.